Fluorescent lighting fixture



Feb. 15, 1949- J. TERR 2,461,786

FLUORESCENT LIGHTING FIXTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed 001;. 16, 1946 Feb. 15, 1949. J. TERR 2,461,786

FLUORESCENT LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed Oct.- 16, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 15, 1949 Joseph Terr, Cleveland, ()h io agssignor toffiolden line Company, Cleveland, Ohio,-a eoffio'ia'tio'il of one,

application Butcher-'16, 1946,-Serial No. 703,692

' 3'Claims. (0112 189343) My invention relates to fluorescent lighting'fixfluorescent lighting fixtures of the type which are adapted to be suspended from a ceiling.

At present fluorescent fixtures 'of this type which are suspended from the ceiling py'rneans of tubes offer considerable difficulty and danger in hanging for use and in the heavier types requirean creator and helper to hang the fixture.

safely while-the necessary connections of the fixture 'leadsare being made to "the electric service lines. In commercial and in industrial uses such fluorescent lighting fixtures are bulky and heavy and are awkward to handle, especially if the'supporting members are properlyspac'ed for rigidity and stability. The common practice is to support the fixture from a steel strap which is mounted to an outlet box in the ceiling of the area to be lighted. Before securing the fixture to-the strap it is necessary to connect the leads from the fixture to the service lines. 'This entails cutting and splicing the wires and soldering,

taping, etc. While this is being done, the fixture must be supported by the electricianand/or his helper. Af ter the electric connections are properly made, the supporting tubes are passed through holes in the strap and finally locked'up. The method is time consuming and dangerous.

It is therefore highly desirable to achieve a means of hanging heavy, bulky lighting fixtures in a safe, quick and economical manner. in which the fixture can be easily and safely supported, releasing the erector to make the splicing of the fixture leads to the service lines. I

More specifically myinvention relates to an ensemble and method for simply and easily hanging fluorescent lighting fixtures and the like.

In accordance with the foregoing it=is an object of my invention to provide a means for easily supporting the lighting fixture before the wire splices are made so that the electrician hanging the fixture can'work safely with both hands free.

Another object of my invention is to provide a safe and improved means for hanging the lighting fixture and supporting it by the mounting strap.

A further object of my invention is to provide a simple lock-up of the canopy or housing, with easy means for final aligning of fixture and tures and relates more particularly to iinprove- I iments in the method and means of hanging 2 In accompanying drawings, forming a part-oi this specification and in which lil ienumei'al's are employed to designate. like parts throughout the same: Figure 1 is anelevationview pafitry btfbh of a preferred 'embodi'meiit of' 'niy jii'ivehtionshow 'ture;

Figure '2 "is an emerge fragmentary View "taken from the line 13-13 of Figure r;

"Figure Ell'l nl alg d-fr agfiifitiiyfifiiijfial View taken fromthe use C-QC 'dr'higure 1;

Figure 4: is a fragmentary illetailview' teiken new line ners-figure 1; v

'ig re his a toplplan 'viewof thefhangerstrap er 'guiei; v

igu're s is 'a {perspectivevieweranudrescent ting fixtutei'n which the meamaadmethod 'of iain'ging "of my invention is ill'u'st'ra Figure 7 1s an "elvatioi'ialfview partiy m s'ection showing the completed assembly 6f the reprin ing er invention;

Figure net 11 *vi'ew'o'f' the underside- 6f the hanger s't'rar-m y ii-venues;

er end "at the hangerstra r ei nn revenues; Fig' ure a0 is a view taken entire-diners:

Fi'gur e n is viw than an th'e nine 60i Figure 7;

Figure 12 1s a fragmentary elev'ationarvmw par tly m'--sectioi1, of *a'ri'oth'er embodiment' of my invention.

Referring now to the dra'win'gs; in alliofswhich like-parts are designated by like reference char- -acters, Figs. 1 and '5 b'estilliistrate 'thei timproved mounting strap lil-of' iny invention, adapted for use withfiuorescent lighting fixtures. dlssshown,

s'aidstrap is preferably formed from an elongated fiat bar'or strap of==st'ee1-havingan inversely cupped periorated' central =portionx l=5 and proadapted to seat; lips 33 of each of the oppositely disposed-tubessfi (seeFig.-1=1) v I H The centrally disposed I circular -perforation l 2 provided in the central cu-p shaped portionroi connectionfor mounting therstrap I {llt-o-aservice outletwbox 50 and an oval iot-medembossing 15 surrounds the perforation l2 and thus strengthens the strap at its point of maximum load. The depth of the cupped central portion I5 is determined by the depth of the stepped down sides [6 of the cup and is such that sufficient clearance is provided when the strap i3 is locked, by means of the connections comprising the threaded nipple 53 of the hickey 5| and the nut 54, to the outlet 50 (see Fig. 7).

On either side of the central portion of the strap, a relatively narrow elongated slot I3 is interposed between the relatively larger slot H and the stepped sides It and said slot is provided as a means of reenforcing the central mounting as well as for other purposes, later described herein.

The mounting strap H] of my invention is adapted to be covered by a canopy or housing member 20 provided with a cylindrical perforation 2| at either end of the same, which is symmetrically located with respect to the center line, through which the tubes 30 are passed. Said canopy is preferably formed as a shallow rectangular pan having relatively narrow side walls 10 and a relatively flat bottom portion "H, the said perforations 2| being formed at either end in the bottom surface ll of the canopy member 20, and said canopy is of such Width and length as to cover the strap l0 and outlet box 58 when the lighting fixture is in its complete assembled position, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

The canopy 20 is preferably provided with a pair of rectangular embossings 22 surrounding the apertures 2|, said embossings being of sufficient overall length and width to receive and cover the embossings i4 disposed at either end of the strap Ill. The said canopy or housing 26 may be further enhanced by decorative configuration but this does not constitute an essential part of the present invention.

A pair of suspension or hanger tubes 30 are ,shown in the drawings herein, said tubes being preferably cylindrical in form, as shown, and provided with lips 33 at the upper ends thereof as by swedging or the like, said lips extending in I opposite directions and preferably formed with a spherical contour and no wider than the outside diameter of the tubes 30 as taken on an axis 90 to the lips to form a self-aligning feature of the tubes.

These tubes are adapted to carry fixture leads 56 from the fixtures to the outlet box connections and the same are screwed into the fixture body in the conventional manner.

Each tube is further preferably provided with a -metal slipon ring 3! having a set screw 32 engaged in a tapped hole in the ring. The slipon ring provides a simple means for locking the housing or canopy into final position over the strap H), as later described. It will be noted that the perforations or slots I I are preferably of such width that the tubes 30 may pass therethrough when they enter the slots II with the extended lips on the tubes disposed, as illustrated in Fig. 9. In installing a fluorescent fixture with the improved structure of my invention, the canopy 20 and the slip rings 3| are placed on the tubes 30, as shown in Fig. l, the two tubes being secure- 1y screwed into the fluorescent fixture in the conventional manner with the two leads 56 coming through one of the tubes, this being the left hand tube of Fig. 1.

The strap in is then mounted on the outlet box 50, as shown in Figs. 1 and '7, the fixture then being lifted up into place with the tubes 30 facing, as shown in Fig. 2, and fed through the slots II in the strap H]. A quarter turn of each tube 30 then brings the axis of the lips 33, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, in line with the axis of the embossings l4 and releasing the fixture will seat the tubes within the said wells or embossings M. The outer edge of the slots H are so positioned that when the tubes are seated in the wells M, the said tubes are aligned to conform to a predetermined spacing in the lighting fixture F wherefore the fixture is amply and safely supported while the electrician makes the electrical splice of the lead wires 56 to the service lines 51, the strap making it possible for the lighting fixture to be brought directly into the lock up position and to firmly hold it there, leaving both hands of the electrician or maintenance erector free to make the electrical connections or final alignment by means of the lock nut 54.

It will be noted that the secured seating of the tubes by means of the lips 33 in the recesses l4 permanently secures the suspension tube 30 and prevents rotation of the tubes due to any extraneous vibrations or other causes, acting in the manner of a safety lock.

After the electrical splice is made, the strap l0 and tubes 3&- are then brought into their final position, as illustrated in Fig. 7, where the tubes 39 are brought into position by slightly bringing the tubes inwardly on the axes indicated at 35a. and 36, then aligning the tubes in parallel alignment so that the axes of the said tubes 30 are parallel as indicated at 35 and 36a.

The canopy 20 is next brought close to the ceiling, as shown in Fig. 7, by bringing the slip rings 3| up close to the underside of said canopy and by tightening the set screws 32 wherefore the canopy is locked in final position'and the hanging complete.

The modification of my invention, as shown in Fig. 12, represents an embodiment wherein the fixture is fastened to the ceiling 4G by means of bolts or screws IT projected through the elongated slots l3, said elongated slots providing a Wide range. for spacing of the mounting screws or bolts H.

While I have disclosed my invention in connection with a preferred embodiment, numerous and extensive departures may be made from the form of my invention herein illustrated and described without however departing from the spirit of my invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An improved mounting means for lighting fixtures of the suspension type, comprising generally rectangular elongated flat strap means having a centrally apertured inversely shaped cup portion, said strap being provided with a pair of recessedseating wells, one at either end there of, an opening at either end of said strap adapted to be keyed with one of said wells and disposed at right angles thereto, a pair of tubular suspension members, an end of each adapted to be telescoped through one of said opposite end openings and to be rotated into alignment with said associated well, wheref ore the suspension member may be supported by said strap means.

2. An improved mounting means for lighting fixtures of the suspension type, comprising strap means having a centrally apertured inversely cupped portion, said strap being provided with a pair of recessed wells at either end thereof, an opening contiguous to each well and adapted to be keyed with said well and disposed at right angles thereto, a pair of tubular suspension members, an end of each adapted to be telescoped to one of said opposite end openings and to be brought into alignment with the recessed well for seating therein, said suspension members carryinga lighting fixture at the opposite ends thereof, wherefore the suspension members andlighting fixtures are securely supported by said strap means.

3. An improved method for mounting lighting fixtures of the suspension type described comprising rotatably securinga pair of suspension hangers to the lamp holder portion of the fixture, slideably telescoping a canopy over said hangers, securing a strap member to a ceiling contained outlet box, projectingeach of the upper ends of said hanger through one of a pair of perforations disposed at either end of said strap in predetermined spacing related to the spacing of said hangersgiving said hangers a one-quarter turn to seat said hangers in depressed seats intersecting said perforations wherefor said hangers are in secure seating engagement therewith, connecting the service and lead wires, the service wires projecting from the outlet box and the lead wires being conducted thereto from the lamp holder portion of the fixture, bringing the strap and its secured hanger and dependent fixture members to its final ceiling associated position, adjusting the canopy in its final outlet box and strap covering position.

JOSEPH TERR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

